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Topic Review (Newest First)

11-16-2012, 09:21 AM

ponchoman49

Re: In the GMI (Canada) Garage: 2013 Malibu Eco 1LT

Originally Posted by ne_one

I haven't been in either for a while but here is the closeup from the brochure:

The raised fabric is in the interior of the seats between the bolsters.

The only thing I like about these seats is that the side vinyl bolsters are easier to clean than the fake synthetic garbage cloth that most companies are using today so that is a plus for me. The black cloth in my 2008 Impala is far better than the harsh fake cloth IMO and still looks like new, cleans with but a single swipe of a damp cloth and stays clean looking for a long while.

11-12-2012, 10:54 AM

ne_one

Re: In the GMI (Canada) Garage: 2013 Malibu Eco 1LT

Originally Posted by Ed753

How many miles/tank-fulls did you amass to establish your MPG numbers? (what you are claiming would result in mid-30's mixed driving)

Our press fleet cars are generally available for only a week so mileage estimates are limited to that window. On average that ranges from 300 - 500 miles on a vehicle that has not been miled out.

11-12-2012, 12:04 AM

CheetahDC

Re: In the GMI (Canada) Garage: 2013 Malibu Eco 1LT

Originally Posted by ne_one

The 2.4L engine definitely lumbers along from a full stop but it's more than adequate for passing on the highway.

In terms of interior space, I'm 5'9" and 180 lbs and I find the back seat area to be surprisingly roomy. If you're carrying larger passengers around regularly I'm not sure that any mid-size vehicle would be comfortable, even with a few extra cubic feet of space.

Eh, I'm a smidgen over 6 feet tall and I find backseats of mid-size cars pretty good, for the most part... as long as they don't have that coupe-like C-pillar which has become all the rage these days. Compact cars are a tighter fit though...except the Honda Fit, surprised at how much room I have in the back of my friend's Fit.

11-11-2012, 11:37 PM

megeebee

Re: In the GMI (Canada) Garage: 2013 Malibu Eco 1LT

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Malibu has some angles at which the car looks absolutely fantastic. Just have to photograph the right ones.

I think that's called Damning with faint praise.

11-11-2012, 11:22 PM

Ed753

Re: In the GMI (Canada) Garage: 2013 Malibu Eco 1LT

Fuel economy estimates can be readily attained with judicious driving habits. We experienced mileage numbers of 8.3L/100km (28 mpg) in the city and 5.7L/100 km (41 mpg) on the highway.

How many miles/tank-fulls did you amass to establish your MPG numbers? (what you are claiming would result in mid-30's mixed driving)...

The (optional) premium cloth seat fabric is a certifiable butt grater: it's like riding with an S.O.S pad inserted into your posterior.

I believe these seats are standard on the ECO and 1LT's (at least in the US).

Also these are the seats that the consumers report video reviewer said was "scratchy" (and everyone jumped all over him).

11-11-2012, 10:58 PM

hrcslam

Re: In the GMI (Canada) Garage: 2013 Malibu Eco 1LT

Originally Posted by regfootball

my cobalt averages like 25-27 in city concentration. i recently started work where my trip is one way over 40 miles and mostly at 70+ mph. My Cobalt (5 speed) won't exceed 30 overall unless i put small engine gas in it. that is why i have interest in the malibu. I would imagine I may get almost the same mpg.

My Ion would get 16 mpg avg. when I had a 7 mile (one way) commute that only lasted about 8 mins. It was 5 stops and 65 mph speed limits. It was fun at times, but horrible for mileage.

When I lived in Colorado Springs it would get me about 26-28 mpg avg. (all city with stop and go traffic after work). That commute was about 15 miles and took about 1/2 hr.

But on long road trips it would routinely top 38 mpg. And I've gotten as high as 42 mpg when driving from Colorado Springs to OKC to visit the in-laws. The return trip would get me about 38 mpg.

These new vehicles are amazing for gas mileage. GM finally figured it out. It's about maximizing BSFC at given speeds. The EPA has it's routines, but most people I know drive 70-90 mph on the highway (depending on which one; like the 101 and 202 is about 70-75, while I-10 is 80-90). So on the EPA cycle the Malibu may turn in 37 mpg (as rated) but in the real world at higher speed it could actually get better!

Like this video from Top Gear. Skip to 1:25.

11-11-2012, 10:34 PM

FenwickHockey65

Re: In the GMI (Canada) Garage: 2013 Malibu Eco 1LT

Malibu has some angles at which the car looks absolutely fantastic. Just have to photograph the right ones.

11-11-2012, 10:31 PM

ne_one

Re: In the GMI (Canada) Garage: 2013 Malibu Eco 1LT

Originally Posted by Evo69

I notice you didnt mention the really bad manual shift control position on the top of the shifter. GM should reposition the manual shifter control back on the steering wheel like the previous Malibu.

I find the manual shift feature lacks any real purpose so the positioning is pretty arbitrary.

Originally Posted by Evo69

Got to disagree with you on the exterior styling though. The car looks very good without going to extremes and cannot be described as boring.

Definitely a subjective call - and a divisive one. The leaders in this segment have traditionally been conservative so we'll see if the understated approach prevails over the swoopier designs of Ford and HK.

11-11-2012, 10:16 PM

ne_one

Re: In the GMI (Canada) Garage: 2013 Malibu Eco 1LT

Originally Posted by bballr4567

Is the optional cloth like that on the Terrain and Equinox?

I haven't been in either for a while but here is the closeup from the brochure:

The raised fabric is in the interior of the seats between the bolsters.

11-11-2012, 09:42 PM

Evo69

Re: In the GMI (Canada) Garage: 2013 Malibu Eco 1LT

Good one! The highway mpg numbers you have gotten is in line with what mpgomatic got with his Malibu Eco review, which means that 37 mpg estimate from GM is pretty conservative.

I notice you didnt have a big issue with the back seat, maybe taller people will find it tight around there, but all this noise about rear seat legroom is way over the top.

GM might look into those cloth seat textures, seems they are a bit too rough.

I notice you didnt mention the really bad manual shift control position on the top of the shifter. GM should reposition the manual shifter control back on the steering wheel like the previous Malibu.

Got to disagree with you on the exterior styling though. The car looks very good without going to extremes and cannot be described as boring.

11-11-2012, 07:39 PM

bballr4567

Re: In the GMI (Canada) Garage: 2013 Malibu Eco 1LT

Is the optional cloth like that on the Terrain and Equinox? If so, that stuff might not be the softest but its freaking amazingling easy to clean.

I saw a white Eco today on my bike ride and it looks pretty dang good. Not Optima in blue good but one of the better looking sedans.

11-11-2012, 07:24 PM

regfootball

Re: In the GMI (Canada) Garage: 2013 Malibu Eco 1LT

my cobalt averages like 25-27 in city concentration. i recently started work where my trip is one way over 40 miles and mostly at 70+ mph. My Cobalt (5 speed) won't exceed 30 overall unless i put small engine gas in it. that is why i have interest in the malibu. I would imagine I may get almost the same mpg.

11-11-2012, 05:46 PM

b4z

Re: In the GMI (Canada) Garage: 2013 Malibu Eco 1LT

Car is a bit nondescript and lower trim wheels look cheap.

11-11-2012, 03:45 PM

steve333

Re: In the GMI (Canada) Garage: 2013 Malibu Eco 1LT

28MPG mixed is damn good. Heck, my Cobalt only averages 24MPG.

11-11-2012, 12:05 PM

Shotgun

Re: In the GMI (Canada) Garage: 2013 Malibu Eco 1LT

We recently purchased a LTZ with the 2.5 engine. Very responsive, IMHO, and with only 1600 miles on the clock, it's getting 27-28 in mixed driving. Four average-sized adults have plenty of room to ride in this car, and the trunk is quite spacious in the non-Eco model. It definitely looks much better in person and appears to look larger than it feels.

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